Joseph Polmear Sullivan, 84, was a teacher in Mackinaw City in the 1950s before moving on to a career in the Romeo district. Mr. Sullivan passed away Monday, March 29, 2010, at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette, where he had been a resident since 1992.

Born March 25, 1926, in Dollar Bay, he was the son of Jeremiah Sullivan and Julia Polmear Sullivan. He was graduated from Houghton High School in the Class of 1944.

Mr. Sullivan entered military service later that year, serving in the U.S. Navy aboard a ship in the Pacific Theater of War. He was discharged from active service March 11, 1946. While on active duty, he earned several citations, including the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Ribbon, and the Asiatic- Pacific Campaign ribbon.

In the fall of 1946, he started teachers training at Northern Michigan College of Education in Marquette, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1950.

During his time at the university, he was a member of the first student council at the school. Additionally, he was active in theater, directing several on-campus plays, and served as editor of the Northern News. After graduation, he accepted a position teaching at St. Norbert’s College in DePere, Wisconsin. Two years later, he started a teaching position in Mackinaw City, where he was active on the committee that planned the dedication ceremony for the Mackinac Bridge.

He served as a teacher in Mackinaw City until 1956, when he relocated to Romeo. He worked as a secondary teacher in the Romeo School District until his retirement in 1988.

Mr. Sullivan was a longtime member of the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association, serving in leadership positions in both organizations. In addition, he was a lifetime member of the Dollar Bay post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Joyce Sullivan; and his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and greatnephews, to whom he was known as a special “Unkie.”

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Nora Sullivan Poisson; his twin brother, William, and his brother, James.

Services were Monday, April 5, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Resurrection in Hancock. Friends called one hour prior to services at the church. Burial was in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans.

The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock assisted the family with arrangements.